Exodus 21:26
New International Version
“An owner who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye.

New Living Translation
“If a man hits his male or female slave in the eye and the eye is blinded, he must let the slave go free to compensate for the eye.

English Standard Version
“When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free because of his eye.

Berean Standard Bible
If a man strikes and blinds the eye of his manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the eye.

King James Bible
And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

New King James Version
“If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye.

New American Standard Bible
“And if someone strikes the eye of his male or female slave and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free on account of the eye.

NASB 1995
“If a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye.

NASB 1977
“And if a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave, and destroys it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye.

Legacy Standard Bible
“And if a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave and ruins it, he shall let him go free on account of his eye.

Amplified Bible
“If a man hits the eye of his male servant or female servant and it is destroyed, he must let the servant go free because of [the loss of] the eye.

Christian Standard Bible
“When a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave and destroys it, he must let the slave go free in compensation for his eye.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When a man strikes the eye of his male or female slave and destroys it, he must let the slave go free in compensation for his eye.

American Standard Version
And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, and destroy it; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

Contemporary English Version
If you hit one of your slaves and cause the loss of an eye, the slave must be set free.

English Revised Version
And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, and destroy it; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Whenever an owner hits his male or female slave in the eye and the slave is blinded, he must let the slave go free to make up for the loss of the eye.

Good News Translation
"If someone hits his male or female slave in the eye and puts it out, he is to free the slave as payment for the eye.

International Standard Version
"If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant and destroys it, he is to release him as a free man in exchange for his eye.

Majority Standard Bible
If a man strikes and blinds the eye of his manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the eye.

NET Bible
"If a man strikes the eye of his male servant or his female servant so that he destroys it, he will let the servant go free as compensation for the eye.

New Heart English Bible
"If a man strikes his servant's eye, or his maid's eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if a man shall smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it shall perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

World English Bible
“If a man strikes his servant’s eye, or his maid’s eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye’s sake.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when a man strikes the eye of his manservant, or the eye of his handmaid, and has destroyed it, he sends him away as a freeman for his eye;

Young's Literal Translation
'And when a man smiteth the eye of his man-servant, or the eye of his handmaid, and hath destroyed it, as a freeman he doth send him away for his eye;

Smith's Literal Translation
And if a man strike the eye of his servant or the eye of his maid, and he destroyed it; he shall send him forth free for the sake of his eye.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If any man strike the eye of his manservant or maidservant, and leave them but one eye, he shall let them go free for the eye which he put out.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If anyone will have struck the eye of his male or female servant, having left them with one eye, he shall release them freely, because of the eye that he has put out.

New American Bible
When someone strikes his male or female slave in the eye and destroys the use of the eye, he shall let the slave go free in compensation for the eye.

New Revised Standard Version
When a slaveowner strikes the eye of a male or female slave, destroying it, the owner shall let the slave go, a free person, to compensate for the eye.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
land if a man strike the eye of his servant or the eye of his maid, and injure it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when a man will strike the eye of his Servant or the eye of his Maidservant and will injure it, he will send him/her away a person of freedom for the sake of his/her eye.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if a man smite the eye of his bondman, or the eye of his bondwoman, and destroy it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if one smite the eye of his man-servant, or the eye of his maid-servant, and put it out, he shall let them go free for their eye's sake.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Personal Injury Laws
25burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe. 26If a man strikes and blinds the eye of his manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the eye. 27And if he knocks out the tooth of his manservant or maidservant, he must let the servant go free as compensation for the tooth.…

Cross References
Leviticus 24:19-20
If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: / fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him.

Deuteronomy 19:21
You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.

Matthew 5:38-39
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ / But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

Genesis 9:6
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind.

Numbers 35:31
You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death.

Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.

Romans 12:17-19
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 6:29-31
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. / Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back. / Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Colossians 3:25
Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”


Treasury of Scripture

And if a man smite the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maid, that it perish; he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

Exodus 21:20
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.

Deuteronomy 16:19
Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.

Nehemiah 5:5
Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

Jump to Previous
Account Bondman Bondwoman Causing Compensate Damage Destroy Destroyed Destroys Destruction Eye Female Free Freeman Gives Handmaid Hits Maid Maid's Maidservant Male Manservant Man-Servant Marred Perish Sake Servant Servant's Slave Smite Smiteth Strikes Woman-Servant
Jump to Next
Account Bondman Bondwoman Causing Compensate Damage Destroy Destroyed Destroys Destruction Eye Female Free Freeman Gives Handmaid Hits Maid Maid's Maidservant Male Manservant Man-Servant Marred Perish Sake Servant Servant's Slave Smite Smiteth Strikes Woman-Servant
Exodus 21
1. Laws for men servants
5. For the servant whose ear is bored
7. For women servants
12. For manslaughter
16. For kidnappers
17. For cursers of parents
18. For smiters
22. For a hurt by chance
28. For an ox that gores
33. For him who is an occasion of harm














If a man strikes
The Hebrew word for "strikes" is "נכה" (nakah), which implies a blow or a strike that causes harm. In the context of ancient Israel, this word underscores the seriousness of physical violence. The law here is not merely about physical injury but about the moral and ethical treatment of individuals, reflecting God's justice and care for all people, including servants.

the eye
The eye is a vital organ, symbolizing vision and insight. In biblical times, the loss of an eye would significantly impact a person's ability to work and live independently. This law highlights the value of every part of the human body, emphasizing that causing such harm is a grave offense.

of his manservant or maidservant
The terms "manservant" and "maidservant" refer to male and female servants, respectively. In the Hebrew context, these individuals were often part of the household, and while they were under the authority of their masters, they were also under God's protection. This law serves as a reminder that all people, regardless of social status, are made in the image of God and deserve dignity and respect.

and destroys it
The word "destroys" comes from the Hebrew "שחת" (shachat), meaning to ruin or corrupt. This indicates a permanent and severe injury. The use of this word underscores the irreversible nature of the damage, which necessitates a significant response in terms of justice and compensation.

he must let the servant go free
Freedom here is a profound concept, especially in the context of servitude. The Hebrew word for "free" is "חפשי" (chofshi), which means liberty or release. This provision reflects God's heart for liberation and justice, ensuring that those who are wronged are compensated in a manner that restores their dignity and autonomy.

in compensation for the eye
The idea of compensation is rooted in the principle of justice and restitution. The loss of an eye is met with the granting of freedom, which is a significant form of recompense. This reflects the biblical principle of "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24), but in a way that promotes restoration and healing rather than further harm.

(26, 27) The eye . . . Tooth.--An exception to the law of retaliation is here made. If the injurer is a free man and the injured person a slave, the marked social inequality of the parties would make exact retaliation an injustice. Is the slave, then, to be left without protection? By no means. As the legislation had already protected his life (Exodus 21:20), so it now protects him from permanent damage to his person. The master who inflicts any such permanent damage--from the least to the greatest--loses all property in his slave, and is bound at once to emancipate him. The loss of an eye is viewed as the greatest permanent injury to the person; the loss of a tooth as the least.

Verses 26, 27. - Assaults on Slaves. The general law of retaliation was not made to extend to slaves. For ordinary blows the slave was not thought entitled to compensation, any more than the child. They were natural incidents of his condition. In extremer cases, where he was permanently injured in an organ or a member, he was, however, considered to have ground of complaint and to deserve a recompense. But for him to revenge himself upon his master by inflicting the same on him was not to be thought cf. It would have put the slave into a false position, have led to his prolonged ill-treatment, and have been an undue degradation of the master. Therefore, compulsory emancipation was made the penalty of all such aggravated assaults, even the slightest (ver. 27). Verses 26, 27. - If a man smite the eye, etc. The "eye" seems to be selected as the most precious of our organs, the "tooth" as that the loss of which is of least consequence. The principle was that any permanent loss of any part of his frame entitled the slave to his liberty. A very considerable check must have been put on the brutality of masters by this enactment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
וְכִֽי־ (wə·ḵî-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a man
אִ֜ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

strikes
יַכֶּ֨ה (yak·keh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

the eye
עֵ֥ין (‘ên)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

of his manservant
עַבְדּ֛וֹ (‘aḇ·dōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

or
אֽוֹ־ (’ōw-)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

maidservant
אֲמָת֖וֹ (’ă·mā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave

and blinds it,
וְשִֽׁחֲתָ֑הּ (wə·ši·ḥă·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

he must let the servant go
יְשַׁלְּחֶ֖נּוּ (yə·šal·lə·ḥen·nū)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

free
לַֽחָפְשִׁ֥י (la·ḥā·p̄ə·šî)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2670: Exempt

in compensation for
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

the eye.
עֵ֥ין (‘ên)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT Law: Exodus 21:26 If a man strikes his servant's eye (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 21:25
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